Amelia Westlake by Erin Goug. Young adult fiction set in a prestigious but toxic highschool. Two students form an unlikely alliance and devise brainy vigilante efforts that uncover unethical proclivities of the teaching staff. I was cheering them on throughout the whole book. I used to daydream about taking people down the way these characters did... And the best part is that the story is based on the real actions of Gough in her highschool years. Legend This was a fun book, and great to find more and more young adult stories with queer main characters. Also I love the word 'proclivities'.

Last night I watched this documentary about this Buddhist monk who makes food as spiritual practice. Everything was thoughtfully prepared, seeing each ingredient and ancient technique as an homage to her ancestors and a way to honor God. All of the American and European chefs said her food was ‘life changing’, as if they’d had a bit of enlightenment just through the experience...as if through this food, they’d seen God through new eyes. 🤩 Never doubt that even the most mundane tasks you undertake are a testimony for someone around you. One thing I’ve learned over the years is that someone’s always watching. You never know how just living out your life, and working hard to achieve your goals, is God’s way of getting a message or blessing to someone else. That’s a very pleasant thought.

IT’S HERE!! Big thanks to #bakerpublishinggroup and @annebogel for sending me an advanced copy of I’D RATHER BE READING! Even before I was selected to be part of Anne’s launch team, I had already pre-ordered a copy of this lovely book because:
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A. It’s Anne Bogel, and I love Anne! She’s the host of the fun podcast called @whatshouldireadnext, and I had the pleasure of being on her show a couple months ago (Episode 133)!
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B. Anne loves to read, and she knows (like the rest of us) what it’s like to be an avid reader. And who doesn’t want to read a book about reading?!
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C. Look at this cover! It’s gorgeous!! This cover was inspired by Anne’s own personal library! (Major personal library goals)
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D. Anne never skimps on the pre-order bonuses. You can even get a free audio version of the book read by Anne if you order in advance! Free audio book?! What more could you want?!
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E. Even Yuki is checking it out! That means you should check it out too, right?!
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Details about the book and pre-order bonuses can be found at IdRatherBeReading.com! Happy reading everyone! #IdRatherBeReading#summerstooshort#yukilovesbooks

I just found out today is #nationalbookloversday, so I thought I would celebrate by posting a picture of this little book lover! Yuki’s hanging out with my favorite book of the year (so far): Pachinko by @lee_minjin ! I thought it would be appropriate to feature this book since its adaptation into a series from Apple was announced yesterday!
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I haven’t written a post about this book because I finished it before I made this account. Since I’m constantly gushing about it on Bookstagram, I figured a review was in order!
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Pachinko is a sweeping, multigenerational family saga that takes place in both Korea and Japan. The book is set during Japan’s occupation of Korea, and highlights the racial struggles experienced by the Koreans from the Japanese. The matriarchal centric story illustrates one family’s journey through blissful and difficult times.
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I absolutely LOVED this book! At first I was intimidated by the size, but it was so beautifully written and engaging that I finished it in less than a week. (I read the entire second half on a Saturday afternoon!) Even though I am half Japanese, and this story is brutally honest about the racism and bigotry of the Japanese towards Koreans over many decades, I could not stop reading it. The characters were so complex and relatable, and the plot goes in places you couldn’t imagine. If you haven’t read this book already, I highly recommend it!!

Gotta write about what I know right ?
Thank You Resiliency But I Am Tired follows the process of grieving post break up. My process.
I hit a difficult patch after it finally hit me...I was not getting married anymore. I went from trying to dresses to maintaining my mental well being, staying safe, staying fed. Putting my new life back together. I didnt know what else to do but start writing...every day. I was feeling something new, especially anger which came in much larger waves this time. I didnt want that on my soul. This book has been so cathartic for me.

I realized it wasn't just about one person who wronged me, it was about everyone. Pieces of everyone and our personal stories are in there. Every guy I've ever loved that didn't know how to love me back. Every time someone was crazy about me and I didnt return their affection. Every time I wanted my own way or was impatient and ran from my problems like the child I still think I am at times. It was myself as well who didn't know how to love the right way.

This book was about my ownership and apologies. Addresses those toxic things I bring without realizing. I had to address myself. And it all has felt good.

And Honestly That's,
Mocha Goddess
Thank You Resiliency But I Am Tired. Coming September to Amazon.

I used to be really afraid of my writers voice. There are many lives inside of me and each have a story to tell. I used to write it down and then edit. I would edit the cussing, the grammar, add the "ing" because I thought it was how it was "supposed" to be. Then I realized that I didn't want the character to end the word with the "ing". I wanted it with the "in". I wanted the words to be spoken incorrectly or I wanted the character to cuss. I know best who that character is.....that is my JUCINESS as @aprilyvettethompson calls it.
For more of these freebies Sign-up for this Saturday's FREE Finish Your Damn Scipt class @aprilyvettethompson link in profile or www.TheDreamUnLocked.com

Pop-up live in my FB-group tomorrow - the ONE thing you need to prepare in advance if you're thinking of shooting for media coverage! This is the must-have preparation for next week's 'Get Your First Media Feature' free Challenge for authors who want to see their book in the news media! Links in bio

Summer break is over, and as much as I’m sad about that fact, I’m also glad to be back into routine, seeing my team, my students and getting back into the groove of things. We walked back into many new changes, along with some new faces! New hearts! (To plant those seeds in! ) Anyway. It got me thinking.
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I have this thing that I do, where I refer to almost everyone that I talk to, (even if it’s just at least once) as my friend. I automatically want to know more about you, love you, and invite you somewhere! I'm not sure why I do it, it's just a habit, but it's not a habit I'm mad about. There's this thing Jesus says, "if they're not against us, they're for us." [Luke 9:50]
I like that.
I must always do my best to rest in that truth.
If you think about it, so many people go around thinking that people don't like them because of a look they were given or a sassy quip while bantering, but this is something I have been learning -- it's better to assume everybody wants you to succeed rather than fail. If you look at people through a positive light, your interactions will be positive. Just assume that everyone loves you unless they blatantly tell you they don't. Ouch.
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Your life will be so much lighter and better if you think about things in that regard -- if they're not against us, they're for us.
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The beginning of a new school year is ALWAYS exciting, the beginning of anything really, but I’m guilty of letting the excitement die out, or feel discouraged in one way or another. So I’ll have to do my best to live out this encouragement for myself! (I’m allowed to be encouraged by my own words right? Lol)
Happy Tuesday FRIENDS! Sending you all a big wave of love!

To catch the media's attention, you need a really good headline and hook to your press release and pitch. You could research the headlines in the media you are targeting to see what they like.

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Book Mail!! So excited for these new books today!
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The Air Your Breathe by Frances De Pontes Peebles | My @bookofthemonth pick! This was already on my wish list, and I was so glad to see it as an option for this month.
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The Ensemble by Aja Gabel | Loved this beautifully written story of the members of a string quartet! I love stories written in multiple perspectives, especially when the characters are so close - and this one didn’t disappoint! Had to get a copy for my own personal library.
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Ms Ice Sandwich by Mieko Kawakami | I was very intrigued by this book when I saw it on @lookprettybooks’s account. I love weird and quirky Japanese stories, so hopefully I enjoy this one!

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You know how, most times when they sell a sun and moon design on anything they have the moon all hugged up against the sun?
That was like us.
And the sun would shine just as bright as it was meant to be.
And the moon stayed cool,
Waxing,
Waning me.
Designed to be complementary.
And even when you're dark you're still there.
I used to think I was your sun
But now I think that I'm your earth.
Covered mostly in water no wonder you control my tides.
Ya powerful ass…
That was like us.
Like that same way you make me blush
The same color as the sunrises I love.
I look for you every day.
Crescent on my face
The space between us big as craters.
Until I'm right back there…
Shining bright as I'm meant to be
And you hugged up against me.

I’ve only been on Bookstagram for about a month, and I’m so happy I found a great group of Asian American women so early on! We wanted to start discussing Asian books together, and our first pick with Monsoon Mansion by @cinellebarnesbooks!
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Monsoon Mansion is a heartbreaking yet powerful memoir about a Filipino family who lost its fortune in the 1990’s. Barnes is very open and honest about her devastating childhood experiences, and her complicated family relationships namely with her mother.
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I could not put this book down! My discussion group wanted to talk about this book in two parts, so I had every intention of reading Part 1 and then stopping until I discussed with my friends. Needless to say that didn’t happen! Barnes is so genuine and sincere in her writing, that I immediately cared for her well being and wanted to know what would happen to her. The book is beautifully written, and illustrates the vast differences in her lifestyle over the span of many years. Lastly, I appreciated her vulnerability about her relationship with her mother. I could not imagine experiencing those situations as a child, and not having the support of my parents. I’m sure it took a lot of strength and courage to unveil that experience to the rest of the world, and I graciously applaud her for it. A must read!!
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Also, big thanks to @words.between.worlds for sending me this beautiful hardcover from their giveaway! Monsoon Mansion is their August book club pick, so you should definitely join the conversation! Check out their account for details